Mandible clamp



H. L. PAGE MANDIBLE CLAMP Jan. 24, 1961 Filed June 6, 1958 INVENTOR HARRY L. PAGE ATT v NEYS I MANDIBLE CLAMP Harry L. Page, Valparaiso, Ind., assignor to Transograph Incorporated, Minneapolis, Miran, a corporation of Minnesota Filed June 6, 1958, Ser. No. 740,290

Claims. (Cl. 32-49) The herein disclosed invention relates to dental instruments and particularly to mandible clamps for attachment of a hinge bow to a bite block or similar superstructure mounted on a base plate or similar appliance fitted to a patients mandibular ridge thus making a rigid connection between the mandible and the hinge bow for the purpose of locating the axes of the temporo mandibular joints.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a mandible clamp which will cause minimum discomfort to the patient.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a mandible clamp which may be quickly and readily applied to the superstructure and to which the hinge bow may be readily applied.

An object of the invention resides in providing a mandible clamp to which the hinge bow may be directly attached.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a mandible clamp adapted to be directly secured to the superstructure with or without the application of heat or the mutilation of the same.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the mandible clamp with two prongs adapted to be embedded in the superstructure and which form an angle with one another to prevent unintentional disengagement of the superstructure from the mandible clamp.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the mandible clamp with a frame having a portion contacting the superstructure and a prong issuing outwardly therefrom and embedded in the superstructure, and in further providing a swinging hook or clip pivotally connected to the frame and carrying a prong adapted to be swung from a position clear of the superstructure and into an embedded position.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a clip U-shaped in form with spaced legs, one of the legs resting upon and engaging the frame and the other carrying the prong to be embedded in the superstructure.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the first named leg with a slot and through which a headed member attached to the frame extends, said memer being freely movable in the slot to permit of swinging the prong on the clip into holding position.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a curved fulcrum on the first named leg pivoting said clip for swinging movement.

Another object of the invention resides in making the first named prong and the said headed member integral.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the frame with a rod projecting outwardly therefrom in an anterior direction and by means of which the hinge bow may be attached directly to the mandible clamp through the universal connector thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

illustrating an embodiment of the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the manner of inserting the movable prong into the bite block.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of one of the connectors taken on line 55 of Fig. 2.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, a portion of a dental instrument, such as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,713,721 issued July 26, 1955 for Dental Instrument, has been shown in Fig. 1. This dental instrument comprises a hinge bow A which consists of two side frames, one of which has been shown andindicated by the reference numeral 10. This side frame is attached to a crossbar 12 by means of connectors 157. The frame 10 consists of a horizontal arm 13 and to which is pivotally connected an upright arm 14.

The horizontal arm 13 comprises a barrel 15 in which is slidably mounted a stem 17 which is pivoted to a clevis 19. The stem 17 is adapted to be moved longitudinally in the barrel 15 by means of a screw 24 which is screwed into threads formed in said stem and which is held from longitudinal movement. This screw is rotated by means of a head 25 formed at the outer end of the same. By means of this construction the stem 17 may be shifted with respect to the barrel 15. A lock screw 27 screwed into the end of the barrel 15 serves to hold the stem 17 in adjusted position.

The upright arm 14 consists of a barrel 30, similar to barrel 15, and in which is slidably mounted a stem 32 forming part of said upright arm 14. A hinge pin 166 is mounted in the upper end of the stem 32. The stem 32 is adjustable longitudinally along the barrel 30 by means of a screw 36 having a head 37 and which operates similarly to the screw 24. A lock screw 38 engaging said stem locks the stem in adjusted position. The upright arm 14 is hingedly connected to the horizontal arm 13 by means of theclevis 19. This clevis is attached to barrel 30 and is formed with spaced legs 41 which straddles the stem 17. Screws passing through each of said legs, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 42, extend through said legs and are screwed into the stem 17. By means of this-construction, the upright arm 14 may be swung relative to the horizontal arm 13. The angularity between the arms 13 and 14 may be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 43;

This screw is pivoted to a post 45 issuing outwardly from the arm 17 and has an elongated nut 47 screwed on the same. Swivelly attached to the nut 47 is aheaded shank 46 which is pivoted to a post 48 issuingoutwardly from the barrel 30. By means of this construction, rotation of the nut 47 causes elongation or shortening of thedistance between the posts 45 and 48 and corresponding adjustment of the angularity between arms 13 and 14.

Each of the connectors 157 consists of a body 161 having a bore therein receiving the barrel 15 of the arm 13. A kerf 163 in said body receives the crossbar .12 which lies upon a flat on barrellS and a screw 164 screwed in said body and engaging said crossbar clamps the parts together.

A mandible clamp forming the subject matter-of the instant invention and which has been indicated in its entirety by the reference character B is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This clamp consists of an upper clamp member 2011 which includes a U-shaped frame 201 having spacedlegs 202 and 203 with a connecting bar 204 extending therebetween. The legs 202 and 203 have attached to their outer ends two depending posts 205 and 206. A tie bar 207 extends across the upper ends of the posts 205 and 206 and is riveted thereto and holds the said parts in rigid relation. At the center of the bar 207 is provided a rod208 and by means of which the hinge bow is attached'to the clamp.

Screwed into the inner ends of the legs 202 and 203 of the frame 201 aretwo screws 210 and 211. Screw 211 is shown indetail in Fig. 4. This screw has a threaded shank 212 which screws into threads 213 formed in the arm 203. The said screw has an enlarged neck 214 which engages the upper surface 215 of the arm 2'03 and limits movement of the screw into the leg 203. A knurled head 216 on the end of said neck serves to rotatethe screw. Screw 211 is formed with a prong 217 at the end of the threaded shank 212 and which is constructed with a pointed tip 218. i Cooperating withthe screws 210 and 211 are clips or hooks 220and 221. These clips being identical in construction, only the clip 221 which is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, will be described. This clip is U-shaped in form and consists of an upper leg 222 and a lower leg 223 with a connecting bar 224 therebetween. The leg 223 is formed with a piercing prong 225 while the leg 222 is formed with a slot 226 extending along the same and through which the neck 214 of screw 211 projects. The leg 222 has its extreme end 227 turned upwardly to form a curved fulcrum 228 which is adapted to engage the surface 215 of the frame 201. Neck 214 extending through slot 226 in clip 221 serves as attaching means for maintaining the clip 221 and prong 225 attached to the frame.

Operating in conjunction with the clamp member 200 is a chin brace or mandible clamp member 73 U-shaped in form and attached to connectors 67. These connectors are drilled to receive the posts 205 and 206 and have set screws 70 screwed into the same and which hold the chin brace in engagement with the underside of the mandible of the patient. A construction such as shown in Fig. 6 of my Patent No. 2,701,915 issued February 15, 1955 for Dental Instrument may be used for the purpose.

The hinge bow A is attached to the mandible clamp B by means of the following construction: A connector 80 is employed for the purpose. This connector is shown in detail in Fig. 5. This connector includes a body 82 which is formed with a bore 86 extending throughout the same. The body 82 is formed with two openings 84 and 85 disposed at right angles to one another and extending through opposite sides of the same. The crossbar 12 extends through the opening 84 while the rod 208 extends through the opening 85. Received in the bore 86 are four jaw members 87, 88, 89 and 90. These jaw members are constructed with semi-circular grooves 92 and 93 which engage said crossbar and rod and clamp the parts together. Between the jaw members 88 and 89 is a lock washer 94. The jaw member 90 is engaged by a flange 95 turned over from the outermost portion of the body 82 and serves to maintain the parts properly within the bore. A thumb screw 96 screwed into the end 83 of the body 82 engages the jaw member 87 and forces all of the parts together to securely hold the hinge bow A properly attached to the mandible clamp B.

To illustrate the use of the invention a bite block 230 has been shown in Fig. 1. This bite block consists of a base plate 231 which is adapted to fit the contour of the patients jaw and a penetrable body 232 of wax or similar material attached to said base plate. The purpose of the instant invention is to mount the instrument on the patients mandible through the use of the bite block and without materially defacing the same with or without heat.

In use the bite block is attached to the mandible clamp by pressing the body232 against the underside 219 of the frame 201. This causes the prongs 217 to enter into the wax or similar material until the said prongs become embedded therein as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Clips 220 and 221 are next slid along the slots 226 until the said clips occupy the position shown in Fig. 4. The fulcrum 228 is caused to bear against the surface 215 and the piercing prongs 225 forced into the wax or similar material to position the same as shown in Fig. 3. The bite block has now been securely attached to the support and may be inserted into the patients mouth. The chin brace is next adjusted until the same engages the under surface of the patients mandible and the bite block clamped into position. Connector is next applied to the rod 208 and the instrument used as described in the patents referred to.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The device is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture and serves to quickly attach the hinge bow to the bite block or similar appliance. With the construction shown, relative movement between the patients jaw and the instrument are reduced to a minimum so that accurate restorations may be readily procured. If desired, the bite block can be removed and replaced whenever the occasion requires removal of the same. The prongs forming an angle with one another cause the bite block to be firmly attached to the attachment. By the use of the connector 80 and the rod 208 attached to the mandible clamp B, the positioning of the hinge bow and attachment of the same to the mandible of the patient is greatly facilitated.

Changes in the specific form of the invention as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is :ilaimed without departing from the spirit of the inven- Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong carried by and issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body, and a swinging hook connected to said frame and having another prong adapted to be embedded in the body and forming an angle with said first named prong.

2. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portlon adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong carried by and issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a second prong movable relative to said frame and adapted to be embedded in said body and forming an angle with said first prong, and attaching means acting between said second prong and said frame and maintaining said second prong attached to said frame.

3. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong carried by and issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a second prong adapted to be embedded'in said body and forming an angle with said first prong, and. guide means attached to and acting between said second prong and said frame and guiding said second prong for movement from a position clear of said frame and to its em! bedded position. V

4. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a'prong carried by and issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a second prong adapted to be embedded in said body and forming an angle with said first prong, and guide means attached to and acting between said second prong and said frame and guiding said second prong for movement from a position clear of said frame and to its embedded position, said guide means maintaining said first named prong embedded in said body.

5. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong carried by and issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a hook having a prong, and guide means attached to and acting between said hook and frame for guiding said hook for movement to move said second prong from a position clear of said body and into an embedded position, said second prong when in its embedded position forming an angle with said first named prong.

6. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a U-shaped clip having spaced legs straddling said frame, one of said legs overlying said frame and the other having a prong adapted to be embedded in said body, and means acting between said first named leg and said frame and maintaining said clip attached to said frame.

7. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body and a U-shaped clip having spaced legs straddling said frame, one of said legs overlying said frame and the other having a prong adapted to be embedded in said body, said first named leg having a slot therein, a headed member extending through said slot and attached to said frame and fitting loosely in said slot to accommodate movement of said first named leg from a position in which the prong thereon is clear of the body to an embedded position, said headed member maintaining said clip attached to said frame.

8. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body, a U-shaped clip having spaced legs straddling said frame, one of said legs overlying said frame and the other having a prong adapted to be embedded in said body, said first named leg having a slot therein, a headed member extending through said slot and attached to said frame and fitting loosely in said slot to accommodate movement of said first named leg from a position in which the prong thereon is clear of the bite block to an embedded position, and a curved fulcrum on said first named leg engaging said frame and guiding the prong on said second named leg for swinging movement from a position clear of said body and to an embedded position, said headed member maintaining said clip attached to said frame.

9. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body, a U-sh-aped clip having spaced legs straddling said frame, one of said legs overlying said frame and the other having a prong adapted to be embedded in said body, said first named leg having a slot therein, a headed member extending through said slot and attached to said frame and fitting loosely in said slot to accommodate movement of said first named leg from a position in which the prong thereon is clear of the body to an embedded position, said first named prong and said headed member being integral, said headed member maintaining said clip attached to said frame.

10. A mandible clamp for use with a bite block having a base plate and a penetrable body attached thereto, said mandible clamp comprising a frame having a portion adapted to contact the body, when the clamp is in use with the bite block having the penetrable body a prong issuing outwardly from said portion of the frame and adapted to be embedded in the body, a second prong movable relative to said frame and adapted to be embedded in said body and forming an angle with said first prong, said prongs lying substantially in a common plane, and means acting between said second prong and said frame and maintaining said second prong attached to said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark Dec. 20, 1955 

